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In an editorial, the Economist this week argues that "if Britain wants an American-style energy boom, it should import American-style local taxation." In short, they argue that differences in public opinion toward fracking are driven by differences in how the benefits of development are distributed. In the UK (and most other European countries), subsurface mineral rights are held by the state, and taxes on production are generally collected at the national level.

Last week, Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell called upon industry to provide better information to the public about the fracking process. She said the public debate is “confused” and “not well-informed,” stating that industry is responsible for making sure “that the public understand what it is, how it’s done, and why it’s safe.” Industry has also admitted the need to “raise the public’s comfort level,” especially in states like Colorado where three cities recently approved bans or moratoriums on hydraulic fracturing.